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Round 1: Bulldogs, Buffs do battle in Forsan

Coahoma-Forsan girlsCoahoma head coach Mitzi Bell can remember how big the Forsan game was when she was in high school at Iraan. Forsan head coach Robert Hillger can remember close games decided by buzzer beaters between the two teams. Both coaches know the Coahoma-Forsan game at 6 p.m. today in Forsan means something to the players, considering the close proximity between the two towns and the familiarity the players have with one another. These two teams being the same district this year makes things even more exciting. But the key in this game is the difference between 2-1 and 1-2 in District 3-2A play.Sounds miniscule, but Hillger said sitting at 2-1 in this district is a great start even though there are a handful of games left.“Really, the winning team out of this game today will be 2-1 and the loser will be 1-2, but if you’re 2-1 you’re going to be tied for second with a couple of team up north,” he said. “I’m not going to say it puts you in the driver’s seat, but it definitely give you an advantage.”Both Coahoma and Forsan started district play with bad losses and bounced back for wins in the second game. Forsan staved off a tough Colorado City team and Coahoma won a thriller against Post.Bell said Forsan’s strength is boxing out under the basket, so crashing the boards is vital tonight“I really do think this means more to a lot of the kids,” she said. “It means a lot to me, too, because in high school, that was who we had to beat Forsan in the playoffs for me. I know that Forsan is a big rivalry for a lot of schools, for these girls in particular, them being such a close distance, them knowing each other. It makes it an even bigger game than just a regular district game.”Coahoma-Forsan boysIt’s the first District 3-2A game for both the Coahoma Bulldogs and Forsan Buffaloes at 7:30 p.m. today in Forsan and both are trying to start things with a win.Forsan coach Gary Huckabee believes that alone makes tonight’s game a big one for both teams, but considering Coahoma is coming to town, he expects the atmosphere to be a little more electric.“I expect it to be the normal Forsan-Coahoma game,” he said. “It is a pretty big rivalry with the kids. They tend to make it a bigger game than normal playing Coahoma and Stanton, usually. I guess they’ve been playing each other since they were pee-wees. "We expect Coahoma to be tough. They’re always a good team and coach Nichols is a great coach. He knows what he’s doing. We’re anticipating a great game.”The Buffaloes will have to look out for Tanner Ruiz, among others. Ruiz has made a living driving to the basket this season and when he’s on, he’s hard to stop. Huckabee said Coahoma isn’t a really flashy team. The Bulldogs are just very sound in what they do.Kolten Self and Ty Johnson will be a handful for the Bulldogs.“We know so little about the teams up north,” Nichols said. “You have us four down here — Colorado City, Coahoma Forsan and Stanton — and then you go north. Then again, I doubt they know very much about us. It’s important we get a win the first night out. It’s important for them to. It’s an important home game and I’m sure there will be a big crowd there.”